They are the modern Mantle and Mays, except playing in two distinctly different towns, with each player presenting contrasting styles of play.

The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera is arguably the best pure hitter of his generation. He stamps out offensive numbers with robotic consistency.

Defensively, he is limited by size and lack of speed. But he did a remarkably good job when moved back to third base before last season, after the Tigers signed free agent first baseman Prince Fielder.

Cabrera isn't necessarily a defensive liability as had long been perceived.

The Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout is the arguably the best all-around athlete to reach the major leagues since Bo Jackson.

Both are destined to be at the top of the baseball player meter for many years, and therefore constantly compared.

Last year, the endless debate, which raged about who should be the American League Most Valuable Player between the two (Cabrera, despite many protests, won in a relative landslide), was just the beginning. There are those who have already come to the conclusion Trout, because he is so skilled overall, is clearly the better player.

I understand that thought. It is not without validity.

Yet, entering this season, I still view it differently. I see it like Trout can only hope he is some day as good a player as Cabrera.

Trout has much more to prove. In actuality, he performed at an extraordinary level as a hitter for only a relatively short period.

When a spot in the playoffs was on the line, Trout faded at the plate, while Cabrera surged.

At this stage, Trout, who reportedly arrived to spring training carrying 30 extra pounds, remains about potential. Cabrera is about reality.

The term "five-tool player'' has been around for decades.

Far more rare than it being uttered is a player genuinely fitting the description of being able to run, hit for average, hit with power, field and throw - all - with much better proficiency than the average major league player.

They were in their prime before my time, but growing up Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays were held up as the standard of the five-tool player.

Of more modern players, I think the one that fits the definition best was Ken Griffey Jr.

There have been others to come close to truly fitting the definition of a five-tool player, but most, if you're honest about it, fall short in one area or another.

Baseball scouts seek a player with an exceptional tool or two, and are more than happy to accept mere adequacy in other areas. That's especially true if the one exceptional tool is the ability to hit.

I remember when I was a young baseball beat writer, the Tigers' general manager at the time, the late Bill Lajoie, who understood the game better than any person I have ever countered (this is somebody who once selected Alan Trammell and Ozzie Smith in the same draft), told me, "If a player can hit, he can play."

It's a phrase stuck in my mind to this day.

The rarity of a genuine five-tool player, combined with the Sabermetrics statistic WAR (Wins Above Replacement), which, for the most part, does do a good job of rating a player's value to a team, is why Trout has been so embraced.

In the baseball sense, he is a WAR God.

But when I look at Trout in comparison to Cabrera, I do wonder whether he will be able to maintain his stunningly productive performance as a hitter - the single most important element.

Last year, he did tail off toward the end of the season. His hitting performance in June and July was truly great. In August and September, it fell more into the category of very good.

Major League pitchers are astute. As time goes on, they will, likely successfully, probe for weaknesses for Trout at the plate. Chances are they will find some holes in his swing, and then it will be a period for Trout to adjust back.

Cabrera, on the other hand, has been through that process. He is one of those rare hitters with extraordinary plate coverage and no apparent weaknesses.

I also find it curious Trout showed up at spring training weighing much more, although claiming his body fat was only "9 percent." It wasn't like he was lacking size and strength before, and speed is such an important part of his game.

But if I were betting person (I'm not), I'd bet Cabrera will have the better year in 2013.

If he remains healthy, there isn't much doubt how well he will perform.